Soren told her.
Not the soft version but every thread he'd felt run thin.
Six lines drawing one well, the well slow to fill. The shape of what had changed since the mole kissed him and the first real measure left.
Yara's hand stayed flat on his chest the whole time.
When he finished she sat there, red eyes open, not saying anything.
She'd already run it. The question was never whether she'd believe him.
"You're still choosing it," she said.
"Yes."
Her hand lifted. She stood in the dark a moment, then crossed to the floor. The shadow climbed up around her feet and Grimm was there against the cold wall, eyes shut.
She'd asked. He'd answered. She was still here.
◆◆◆◆
The first notice came on council stock.
That mattered. It meant the administrative layer, not the teaching one. Teachers sent notices when they wanted something. Administration sent them when they'd already decided.
Soren read it twice and set it face-down.
